Complete coverage: Bal Thackeray 'recovering' but still not out of the woods

The health condition of Shiv Sena chief Bal Thackeray turned "very critical" on Wednesday night. The Thackeray clan, along with senior leaders from the party and other public figures gathered at Matoshree.

Thursday, Nov 15, 2012 8:00 IST

Amitabh Bachchan tweets prayers needed for Bal Thackeray.

Thursday, Nov 15, 2012 8:10 IST

President Pranab Mukherjee who was scheduled to visit Mumbai has cancelled his trip to the city.

Thursday, Nov 15, 2012 8:11 IST

Thackeray's son Uddhav said, "Bal Thackeray has strong will power."

Thursday, Nov 15, 2012 8:12 IST

"Let's pray we hope to overcome this crisis", Uddhav added.

Thursday, Nov 15, 2012 8:22 IST

Leave of all policemen in Mumbai has been cancelled and the police say a full strength force will be on duty today.

Thursday, Nov 15, 2012 8:23 IST

President Pranab Mukherjee has cancelled his two-day trip to Maharashtra, official sources said on Thursday morning.

The president was scheduled to present the Jamnalal Baja Awards at a function in Mumbai on Thursday evening.

He was to inaugurate the Sai Ashram at Shri Saibaba Temple in Shirdi, Ahmednagar district on Friday.

The reason for the cancellation is not known.-IANS

Thursday, Nov 15, 2012 8:43 IST

The police visibility outside Thackeray's house Matoshree has been increased.

Thursday, Nov 15, 2012 8:46 IST

VIP arrangement has been made at Matoshree and Shiv Sainiks who were outside the main gate have been removed.

Thursday, Nov 15, 2012 8:47 IST

Gopinath Munde and Nana Patekar visit Bal Thackeray

Marathi TV channels report that senior BJP leader Gopinath Munde and actor Nana Patekar are at Matoshree to see the Shiv Sena chief, who was put on ventilator late on Wednesday night.

The Sena patriarch is reportedly suffering from severe complications due to pancreatic and liver malfunction.

Thursday, Nov 15, 2012 8:49 IST

Uneasy calm prevails in Mumbai as people on Twitter say that there are few taxis and rickshaws on the roads.

Thursday, Nov 15, 2012 9:12 IST

The lack of taxis and autorickshaws in Mumbai is also partly due to the public holiday today.

Thursday, Nov 15, 2012 9:30 IST

Reports say that shops have been shut down in Sena strongholds in Mumbai.

Thursday, Nov 15, 2012 9:31 IST

Reports coming in suggest that most people are keeping their shops closed voluntarily in Mumbai.

Thursday, Nov 15, 2012 9:49 IST

Uddhav Thackeray appeals for calm

The health condition of Shiv Sena chief Bal Thackeray turned very critical last night and he was put on life-support system.

A team of doctors stationed inside his Bandra residence 'Matoshree' with nursing staff has been taking care of the Sena patriarch, who is down having breathing problems.

Working President of the Shiv Sena and Bal Thackeray's son Uddhav Thackeray appealed for calm in his address to those assembled outside their residence.

He said, "Balasaheb has strong will power. We will come out of this problem. Don't trust rumours. Make peace We are hopeful. You should be hopeful as well. Let's pray for Balasaheb."

According to the latest reports, traffic to the residence of Thackeray has been blocked and there is heavy presence of police personnel in the area.

This comes hours after reports said that the Shiv Sena supremo is on continuous oxygen and not eating anything.

Actor Amitabh Bachchan and his son Abhishek were among Thackeray's late-night visitors yesterday. Actor Sanjay Dutt and his wife Manyata also met Thackeray's family late on Wednesday night.

Several prominent politicians, like BJP's Gopinath Munde, have visited the Thackeray home too.-ANI

Yuva Sena chief Aditya Thackeray puts up a post on his Facebook account urging everyone to be optimistic about his ailing grandfather, Sena founder Bal Thackeray. "Lets be optimistic and pray for his fast recovery!," said the grandson of the Shiv Sena supremo who was kept on ventilator late on Wednesday night.

Thursday, Nov 15, 2012 10:35 IST

Shops were told to remain shut by Shiv Sainiks in Vakola in Mumbai, where the Shiv Sena has substantial support. --Mustafa Plumber, DNA

Thursday, Nov 15, 2012 10:51 IST

Bal Thackeray remains critical, crowds gather outside home

Shiv Sena chief Bal Thackeray continued to remain in a critical condition on Thursday as anxious crowds gathered outside his residence Matoshri and his son, party executive president Uddhav Thackeray, said the family had not lost hope.

"I have not lost hope. We are facing a crisis, we shall overcome," a grim looking Uddhav, flanked by son Aditya, told supporters in the early hours of the morning.

Mumbai Police and other security agencies made tight security arrangements around Matoshri, the Thackeray clan's home in Bandra west.

Over 350 police personnel, plus the Rapid Action Force and other contingents, led by top officers, have deployed stringent security in the vicinity.

Uddhav had stepped outside the Thackeray home Matoshri briefly around 2 a.m. to address the massive crowds of anxious party activists, who had gathered since Wednesday night.

Uddhav categorically appealed to party activists and the people to "remain calm and maintain peace" and ensure that the image of Matoshri was not spoiled.

The abrupt cancellation of the president's visit to the state was attributed to preventing diversion of security in case there were fresh developments in Thackeray's health, an official, requesting anonymity said.

"The team of doctors is continuing their efforts... Balasaheb's self-determination is very high... We are facing a crisis, we shall overcome," Uddhav said - in his third appeal in less than four hours.

He assured the people that Thackeray was responding positively to the treatment being administered by the doctors and urged his supporters to pray for their leader's health and co-operate in maintaining peace.

The 86-year-old Thackeray has been suffering from breathing problems and has been occasionally put on oxygen.

Shortly after Uddhav's assurance, many of the 5,000-plus party activists who had crowded around Matoshri slowly started dispersing.

On Thursday morning the crowds returned, but the security agencies were better prepared to handle them.

Vehicular movement was unhampered Thursday morning as police had arranged diversions to avoid traffic jams at the Kala Nagar junction leading to Matoshri.

"Thackeray is serious, but stable. A team of doctors is continuously monitoring him," a senior party official, who met him last evening, told IANS.

Besides all members of the Thackeray family, nephew Raj Thackeray and his wife Sharmila, top Shiv Sena leaders like Manohar Joshi, senior Bharatiya Janata Party leader Vinod Tawade and others rushed to the bungalow around midnight.

State Tourism Minister Chhagan Bhujbal, Bollywood mega-star Amitabh Bachchan accompanied by son Abhishek, Sanjay Dutt and wife Manyata were among other prominent personalities who went to Matoshri.

On Thursday morning, Raj returned while others like BJP deputy leader in Lok Sabha Gopinath Munde arrived. Music director Bappi Lahiri and other prominent personalities from different walks of life were also seen visiting the Thackeray residence.

Munde said Thackeray's condition was stable and that he was responding to treatment.-IANS

Thursday, Nov 15, 2012 10:57 IST

Bal Thackeray stable: Sanjay Raut

The health of Shiv Sena patriarch Bal Thackeray, who was in a critical condition last night, is "stable" now, party spokesperson Sanjay Raut said on Thursday morning.

"Balasaheb is stable now. Need not worry. He is responding to doctors' efforts," Raut, a Rajya Sabha MP, told PTI.

Doctors attending to Thackeray (86) had said last night that he was in a "very critical" condition and on life support system.

None of the doctors attending on him were available for the latest update on his condition today.

BJP leader Gopinath Munde who visited 'Matoshree' this morning told reporters that "the Sena chief's health is better than last night".

As news spread about Thackeray's health, several party workers started assembling outside his residence 'Matoshree' in suburban Bandra, where security has been stepped up.

A number of Shiv Sena MPs, legislators and senior leaders also reached Thackeray's residence as the word spread.

Security outside 'Matoshree' has been beefed up with police setting up barricades to streamline flow of crowds.

Police personnel all over the state are told to be on alert.

The party executive president Uddhav Thackeray had last night appealed to Shiv Sainiks to maintain calm and pray for senior Thackeray's health.

Senior leader Ramdas Kadam, who was among others who rushed to see the ailing patriarch, had told reporters last night that doctors were trying their level best to stabilise his condition.

MNS chief Raj Thackeray and close family members were at 'Matoshree'.

Meanwhile, shops in most parts of Mumbai have downed their shutters.-PTI

Thursday, Nov 15, 2012 10:59 IST

More than 2000 policemen guards outside Matoshree
About 2000 policemen are stationed outside Shiv Sena Chief Bal Thackeray’s residence in Bandra including the Rapid Action Force (RAF) and other additional forces to maintain law and order as the Shiv Sena supremo remains in critical condition.--Manish Pathak, DNA

Thursday, Nov 15, 2012 11:35 IST

Mumbai police on alertThe police have been taken all possible precaution to maintain law and order in Mumbai, especially outside Thackeray’s home. --Manish Pathak, DNA

"I am extremely disturbed and concerned about the critical health of Shri Balasaaheb Thackeray, who is like a family member to me. My prayers are with Balasaaheb and the entire Thackeray family," Mangeshkar wrote on Twitter.

"In view of this, I am postponing the function of my music company to a later date," Mangeshkar said.

"My sympathies and love to Uddhav and Aditya as they cope with the tragedy of Balasaheb's failing health. May he fight back and win. Our prayers go out for Balasaheb Thackeray and his family members.... May the tiger wake up and roar again," he said.

"That a cartoonist in the Free Press Journal could reach where Balasaheb reached is a tribute to the power of Indian democracy. There will be lots of time later to discuss the politics of the Sena, good or bad. Time to now pray that Balasaheb comes back from the edge," he added.

Filmmaker Ashok Pandit tweeted, "Balasahab stopped my community (Kashmiri pandits) from picking up arms by giving us education. After my exodus, I went to Balasaheb for help. He asked me wht do u want? I said our wealth is education. He immed creating a quota & gve us edu (sic)."--PTI

Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leader Gopinath Munde also visited 'Matoshree' this morning, and told waiting media that the Sena chief's health is better than last night.

Earlier, Thackeray's son Uddhav Thackeray appealed for calm to those assembled outside their residence.

He said, "Balasaheb has strong will power. We will come out of this problem. Don't trust rumours. Make peace we are hopeful. You should be hopeful as well. Let's pray for Balasaheb."

At least 1,500 policemen and teams of the Rapid Action Force (RAF) have been deployed outside Thackeray's residence 'Matoshree' to help maintain law and order.

The police have also asked the owners of shops around Matoshree to close down their shops

All roads leading to Matoshree were also barricaded and some party leaders had to abandon their vehicles near the Western Express Highway and walk the short route to the Thackeray house.

Traffic jams were reported on major roads to the north and south of Bandra last night and today as well.--ANI

Thursday, Nov 15, 2012 14:54 IST

Maharashtra CM assess law and order situation

Maharashtra Chief Minister Prithviraj Chavan has been continuously monitoring law and order situation in the state in view of the deteriorating health of Shiv Sena patriarch Bal Thackeray.

"Last night, Chavan held a high-level meeting with the chief secretary and top police officers. Since this morning, he is in constant touch with family members of the Sena chief," official sources said.

Chavan has not taken up any other engagements, they said.

Meanwhile, Sena spokesperson Sanjay Raut said Thackeray was not on life support system at present. "Life support system was required last night but not today," he told reporters.

No health bulletin regarding the Sena patriarch's condition has been issued so far.--PTI

Thursday, Nov 15, 2012 15:10 IST

Singer Kailash Kher arrvies at Matoshree to see Bal Thackeray.

Thursday, Nov 15, 2012 15:45 IST

Shiv Sena leader Subash Desai addressed the media and said, "Balasaheb Thackeray is responding well to treatment and his health is improving."

Addressing the crowd of supporters and mediapersons gathered outside Matoshri, the residence of the party's founder Bal Thackeray, Shiv sena leader Subhash Desai said the party supremo's heath was improving steadily

Desai said: "His condition is improving steadily. The improvement of Shiv Sena pramukh's health is a result of the prayers for him, and we hope he will be in better condition soon."

"Davaai ke saath dua ka bhi asar ho raha hai (Along with medicines, the good wishes are also helping his health)," he added.

Thursday, Nov 15, 2012 16:45 IST

Shiv Sainiks perform puja outside the Matoshree.

The crowd gathered outside the residence of Shiv Sena supremo Bal Thackeray has begun singing prayers and hymns for speedy recovery of the patriarch's failing health.

Thursday, Nov 15, 2012 17:34 IST

Nashik: Shiv Sena workers here on Thursday performed 'maha-aarti' for the speedy recovery of the party founder Bal Thackeray.

The maha aarti was performed at Chandicha Ganapati temple in the Ravivar Karanja locality.

Thursday, Nov 15, 2012 19:18 IST

Senior leaders confirm Bal Thackeray is off life support

The condition of Shiv Sena supremo Bal Thackeray, who is critically ill, was showing some improvement, senior party leaders said this evening.

"He is showing some signs of improvement," was the terse reply of Sena leader and former Lok Sabha Speaker Manohar Joshi to reporters' query outside the Thackeray residence `Matoshree' in suburban Bandra.

MP and Sena spokesperson Sanjay Raut said earlier that there was some improvement in 86-year-old Thackeray's condition and he had been taken off the life-support system.

"Yesterday definitely there was some problem. Balasaheb is (now) stable and responding to treatment and is off-life support system," Raut said.

Diwali lights back on Shiv Sena headquarters

Perhaps in an indication of improvement in Sena patriarch's health, the Diwali decoration lights at the party headquarters `Sena Bhavan' in Dadar were turned on in the evening.

Thursday, Nov 15, 2012 22:45 IST

Shiv Sena executive president Uddhav Thackeray on Thursday night said he had not given up hope of his father and Sena supremo Bal Thackeray's recovery.

Stepping out of the Thackeray house Matoshree, he appealed to Shiv Sena workers to keep calm. "Since yesterday, Shiv Sena chief's condition is stable. I had said yesterday and I will say again today, I have not given up hope. You too must not give up hope because we all are fighting soldiers of a fighting leader."

His son Aditya, chief of youth wing of Shiv Sena, was with him when Uddhav addressed the party workers. "You all are praying for his recovery and I have full faith in your prayers," Uddhav said.

The health condition of Bal Thackeray, 86, turned very critical on Wednesday night and he was put on life-support system. A team of doctors stationed inside 'Matoshree' with nursing staff has been taking care of the Sena patriarch, who is having breathing problems.

His son and Sena executive president Uddhav Thackeray said late on Thursday night that Balasaheb's condition was 'stable'.